Financial Aid (FAFSA)

What is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  It is the form you must complete each year in order to apply for federal financial aid. The FAFSA is usually available October 1st of each year, however this year, it will not become available until December or possibly even January. Click here for the annoucement from the Department of Education.  You should file the FAFSA as soon as you can your senior year (and each year you are in college).  

UPDATE:  FAFSA has started a "soft launch" this month (Jan. 2024).  Click here for more information about the "soft launch."  Additionally, FAFSA, as of late Jan. 2024, has reported that 3.1 million have successfully been submitted since the "soft launch."  Click here to read the update.  

Tips on how to avoid the most common FAFSA mistakes.

Why should I complete the FAFSA?

• It's FREE and can actually make you money to pay for college or career school.

• It’s the only way to apply for ALL federal and most states’ financial aid such as grants, work-study, loans and some scholarships. This includes Pell grants, work-study programs, federal student loans, and grant programs (some of which you might have never heard about).

• It gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school.

• Some private financial aid providers use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for financial aid awards.

• Even if you have a full-ride scholarship or savings to help pay for college, filing the FAFSA is a good backup plan to cover unexpected expenses. Many scholarships require you to file the FAFSA as part of the application process.

• You never know what financial aid you might end up getting! Many students file the FAFSA and are surprised to find they qualify for additional money.

• You are not required to accept any financial aid that is offered to you.

How long does it take and what documents will I need? 

You could earn yourself thousands of dollars for an hour worth of work.  If you have all the right forms and documents ready when you start, it should take you about 60 minutes. 

What do I need to do and know to complete the FAFSA?

• Documents Needed to Apply

• Create Your FSA ID  - Click here to create your own. (This takes 3 DAYS to process!)

IMPORTANT: Write the username and password you choose somewhere secure so that you will remember this log in for the future. 

• 8 Steps to Completing the FAFSA Form

• 8 Easy Steps for Parents Completing the FAFSA Form

• Who Is My Parent When I Fill Out the FAFSA Form?  Infographic

• 10 Common FAFSA Mistakes to Avoid

• Deferment - Information on how to defer loans awarded through FAFSA.  (Deferment related to fin aid when serving an LDS Mission per BYU:  "Federal financial aid is year specific, so any aid not used during an academic year due to leaving on a mission is lost. You will need to re-apply for federal aid by submitting the FAFSA upon returning.")    

• Tips for students with unique situations

• Federal Student Aid Estimator - currently being updated, but should be available soon.  Should be at the link once it is updated.

Where can I get help filling out the FAFSA?

The official FAFSA website answers many common questions and provides additional information.

• Click the “help” icon near the top of the FAFSA homepage or visit FAFSA Help for access to live chat, frequently asked questions, FAFSA phone agents, and e-mail assistance.

• For questions about financial, parent, or dependency information click here.

• What should I do once I am done filling out the application? Next Steps

The following video is done by Utah Systems of Higher Education to help you complete the FAFSA.  They also provide additional videos about paying for college.

USHE FAFSA Walk Through Video and YouTube page